Good fight scenes, but lacking in plot and character depth

I admit that the movie was shot beautifully, with lots of nice camera work and colors. However, I was a bit underwhelm with the story/plot and character development. The action scenes and the good acting were about the only reasons I gave this a decent rating. I just wanted to know more about the two main characters: Jang Ok Ju and Choi Pro. Although the “ballerina”, her best friend’s death and revenge request, was what promulgated Jang Ok Ju to action/violence, I wanted to know more about Jan Ok Ju and Choi Pro. I also didn’t quite know the timeline such as how long Jang Ok Ju and the ballerina, Choi Min Hee, had been best of friends. It seems they knew each other from middle school and met-up again as adults. So maybe Min Hee was everything to Ok Ju since it looked like Ok Ju didn’t have many friends or even family. In all honesty, I had two lingering disappointments or maybe disbeliefs. The first is that Choi Pro was really not the all powerful and independent villain since he was in a gang and reported to someone more powerful. That kind of took his evil aura and mystery away. The second is after Jang Ok Ju went and asked a former colleague in her security firm for some firearms/weapons. I was expecting this lady to hand over some cache of modern automatic rifles, etc., but she ended up dealing with an old couple in a rusty RV with even more rusty and old handguns and revolvers. I think it would’ve been better if they just cut out the whole gang and gang overlord scenes. They didn’t add any more value to the movie. Even the high school girl could be left out. Would I watch it again? No, but I did enjoy the action/fight scenes.

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Lee Sung Min!

t took me almost a week after I finished the drama to start writing my review because there was so much I had to think about and unpack. The ML, in his first life, is killed and is “reborn” as the youngest grandson of a ruthless and cunning founder of a conglomerate. The native title translates to “The House of Chaebol’s Youngest Son.” I think the title is more descriptive and in line with the drama as a whole. Yes, the ML is reborn into this family, however, the story centers around succession rights; they act as catalysts to all that happen in the story. As the youngest grandson and born to the youngest son (who also happens to be illegitimate), the ML really has no chance of inheriting his grandfather’s business empire. Understanding this and the fact that his grandfather believes in the right of primogeniture, the ML uses his knowledge of his former life and the future to acquire the family empire through hostile takeover. Along the way of achieving his goal, he becomes closer to his grandfather and starts to understand the man behind the myth. My absolute favorite part of this drama is really not the revenge part and seeing the bad people get their comeuppance, but the relationship between the ML and his grandfather. The actor, Lee Sung Min, who plays the grandfather is absolutely fantastic in this drama. Yes, Song Joong Ki, is the ML and protagonist, but Lee Sung Min as Jin Yang Cheol gives the drama its beating heart. I like that each episode in which there’s something to overcome, the issue isn’t dragged out but resolved and tied into the overall story well. The ending to me is a double edged sword, tasting of both bitterness and sweetness, a feeling of anger and regret, and then a sense of hope, renewal and a new beginning. I guess if a drama makes me feel all these emotions, then I cannot but give it anything less than ten stars.

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The Best Thing About This Drama? The Main Couple

Revenge, revenge upon revenge. This lakorn is a never ending parade of revenge plots, until the very last episode. My brain is exhausted. The only time I thoroughly enjoyed the drama, where I smiled from ear to ear, and when my brain could rest, is the beautiful island time for the main couple. Here on the island, we get rid of all external forces, meddlers, 2nd leads, etc., and just have the chance to enjoy seeing the main couple be in love and solidify their relationship. The FL and ML have such good chemistry with each other and look comfortable doing these intimate scenes together.

I really enjoy watching the main couple. Even though there are people around them who are toxic, they, as friends and then as lovers, never really waver about their loyalty to each other and love for one and another. For the most part, they have a healthy adult relationship where they talk to each about their insecurities and worries. They are not reluctant to express their love. The FL is also very open about her feelings; she faces problems and obstacles head on. These characteristics of a main couple are kind of rare in dramas. So, a lot of situations where there could have been misconstrued or misunderstood, the ML and FL work to resolve them and these misunderstandings don’t hang around for long. I appreciate that the FL is truthful with the 2nd ML about her feelings and never leads him on with false hope.

The OSTs in this lakorn are pretty nice listen.

The acting is very well done: not cheesy, cringey, or overly dramatic. The production, location, props, and wardrobe/styling/make-up are so much better than most lakorns. I appreciate that when the actors are in the office, they’re in appropriate business attires, and not dressed like they are in a nightclub or some hi-so dinner parties. I know that although the FL (Nilin) and ML (Anawin) have known each other since young, the ML in the beginning is not in love with the FL. But, to see him kissing the 2nd FL (Wianna), in the present (Ep 6) not when they were lovers, is hard to stomach. Future family dinners must be awkward AF. The poor FL having to know that both your father and your boyfriend have slept with the same woman. I feel awful for her. In the world of lakorn I guess this crazy relationship/dynamic is not the worse offender: there’s one where the ML falls in love with his young widowed grandmother, another where the FL is the ML’s stepmother, or a number of step-sibling love.

Rivalry or Game Prattana is an entertaining watch, with some scenes that can be FF without missing much, but other than the island time, not much else for me is a re-watch.

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Too Boring, Too Long

The actress does a pretty nice job playing both twins, but at times when she’s back to being Sina, some of her mannerisms and personality cross into Siriya. The convoluted plot all boils down to essentially a scorned woman’s revenge. Siriya’s shooting, the death of Pipop and Kritt’s father, the company’s embezzlement are the doing of Pipop’s vengeful and angry wife. I kind of have sympathy for Nattaya. Your husband, who wooed you and proclaimed that he loved you, after 20+ years of marriage keeps a young mistress and has a child with her. Pipop, even though everyone loves him and says he’s a good man, however has a mistress, who based on the child’s age, was probably only 18 o 19 years old when the affair started and he maybe in his 40s. That knowledge is pretty icky. The men in this lakorn (Pawinee’s husband—the grandfather, Wiset – Paradee’s husband, Chet, and Pipop) are all cheaters and some with mistresses and illegitimate children. So, it’s hard to think that any women would want to settle down with the men in this lakorn, because based on the track record, the men, including Athirat and Kritt have a high percent chance of being unfaithful and bringing home pregnant mistresses.

The 31 episodes, even only at 45 minute running time, is too long. Flashbacks to conversations/events that happened maybe just five minutes ago are used too frequently and they don’t contribute much to the story telling; possibly they’re just to fill time. Maybe because the actress has to play two different characters, but there’s not much chemistry between Sina and Athirat. They do spend some time together, but I don’t really see them as being attracted to each other and in love. Forget about kissing, because there are zero, zip kissing on the lips. It’s totally unbelievable that two young, healthy, attractive people who haven’t seen each other for a while, in love, reconcile, propose marriage, walk on a secluded beach, and the only kiss we get is on the forehead. What in the world?

After the first 2-3 episodes, I was pretty much bored with the rest of the drama. I have very little sympathy or interest in any of the characters. I am not a fan of the underlying message that as women/wives/girlfriends, they must be saints and accept that men will cheat and bring home mistresses and other children. If the woman did not sign up for a polygamous marriage, she can kick that SOB to the curb.

Can't get revenge and keep a spotless reputation
Sometimes revenge is a choice you gotta make
My mama came from a softer generation
Where you get a grip and bite your lip just to save a little face

Go and fix your makeup girl it's just a break-up
Run and hide your crazy and start actin' like a lady
'Cause I raised you better, gotta keep it together
Even when you fall apart
But this ain't my mama's broken heart
– Miranda Lambert, Mama’s Broken Heart, 2011

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So Many Rivals! Love, Business, Family…And An Unexpected Twist

Of all the unlikeable characters in this drama, the most detestable one is Ingjan’s aunt. She not only drugs her own niece to be married and raped by a man old enough to be her grandfather for money, but continues to do objectionable and questionable things: forging her niece’s signature to get money, remaining friends with the old man who almost raped her niece, continuing to get hoodwinked and scammed, laughing at others’ misfortunes. This woman should not be trusted as anyone’s elder or to run a company, a company that she essentially mismanaged and bankrupted.

This drama is a wild ride with an interesting and unexpected twist. Sichon and Ingjan meets and falls in love a few years prior in Tuscany. Due to a car accident, Ingjan loses her sight temporarily, so she doesn’t know what Sichon looks like. When she regains her sight, she’s tricked into believing that a married man is Sichon. And Sichon is also tricked into thinking that Ingjan has discovered his plebeian background (being a maid’s son) and rejects him because of it since she’s a descendant of Thai royalty. Sichon becomes angry and bitter. When he runs into Ingjan again, and of course she doesn’t recognize him, he takes the opportunity to propose a one-year marriage in exchange for his bailing out her family’s financial trouble. He wants this one-year to essentially torture her and treat her like a servant/worker on his vineyard. Along the way they fall in love, but of course, their past misunderstanding rears its ugly head and this misunderstanding is further helped by the one person close to both (the twist in the drama!). The many problems face by the main couple only help draw them closer together, but there are love, family, and business rivals who are intent on destroying and separating the two lovebirds.

Although there are too many flashbacks and unnecessary scenes, the drama is quite enjoyable to watch, mainly due to the fiery chemistry between the two leads with lots of skinship and real kisses. Some may say that the villain, who promulgated the original misunderstanding and continues the farce, too easily receives forgiveness. I think the writer wants to address this character’s mental/psychological breakdown due to family and societal rejection. Another social issue that cropped up towards the end is revenge porn, and how it generates such fear and self-loathing on the victim’s side. So, I do appreciate the writer’s attempt to address these social issues in a drama. The ending is satisfying in that the main and secondary couples have their happily ever after, and the villains are punished with prison or worse.

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Sweet Couple: Love at First Smell, Mature and Healthy Relationship

I honestly did not expect to like this drama, but I find myself enjoying Asako’s and Kotaro’s love story. Once I was able to get past some cringey moments and second-hand embarrassment, this story has so much to say about love, acceptance, and loving oneself. Kotaro’s obsession with Asako’s scent may seem at first to be kind of creepy and perverted, but the actor does such a nice job in making those scenes to be actually sweetly romantic. Kotaro is one of those MLs who is popular, outgoing and handsome, but kind and warm-hearted. No one, especially their colleagues, would think they could be romantic partners: he’s handsome, she’s plain; he’s popular and friendly, she’s introverted and keeps to herself; he’s confident, she’s insecure. However, once he falls in love with Asako, his love for her never wavers. This sweet couple, when problems or misunderstandings arise, they’re able to talk to each other and work through them together, unlike so many other drama couples. They’re young and unused to a serious relationship, so they may hesitate to speak honestly at first, but in the end, they muster up their courage to talk about their troubles with each other. I like that: an honest, mature, respectful relationship between two adults. The one episode that I will remember for a long time for its humor is when Kotaro loses his super sense of smell due to a cold, and as a result, he finds himself having to navigate the every day life without “smelling” people’s mood. He becomes most upset when he is not able to read Asako’s feelings. In the end, two mismatched people found their match in each other, and deservedly, have their happily ever after. This is what love is about: bringing the best out of each other, and supporting one and another through good and bad times.

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Boring and Bland with a Side of Toxic Relationships

I manage to go as far as ep 8, but I can't really find the enthusiasm to push through until the end. Other than a few scenes together where they disagree on things at work or work together to resolve work-related problems, I can’t really understand where and how they fell in love. Maybe it’s just “he’s young and hot,” “she’s older and hot”, so let’s just make out. I don’t know. Unfortunately, the pairing looks wrong: she looks like a tired working woman in her 30s and he looks like a recent college grad. When the two of them are together making out, I just want to look away. Now, if there was some chemistry, some fire in this relationship, I could probably continue watching. As a woman trying to earn respect in her professional field, she’s stepping on the proverbial poop by having a secret love affair with her direct subordinate. How is this okay in an office environment? We’re talking about an imbalance of power, sexual harassment, favoritism, and a whole array of other workplace issues. Maybe these behaviors and actions are acceptable and normal in SK, but where I am from, get ready to be reprimanded and fired. If they’re colleagues and of equal ranks, or he doesn’t report to her, then ok. Also, the two exes who are now married to each other are annoying AF. The male ex is crazy, a cheater, a slime ball, but at least he’s an interesting character, whereas our ML is pretty bland. After eight episodes, I am not vested nor interested in what happens to the main couple, secondary couple, or any of the supporting characters, so it’s the end of the road for this drama for me.

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Too Much Sweet Is Bad for Your Health

I am getting too old, too cynical for this sugary confection of a drama. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind fluff, sweet, no-brainer romance, but this drama although with all the right tropes and cliches (rich older CEO ML, bright and cheery younger FL, love triangle, unrequited love, etc.), it just fails in the genuine feel department. Something is off, and I can blame it on the lack of chemistry between the ML and FL, how the FL is written and portrayed, etc. The FL, who happens to be on the average side in terms of looks and intelligence, is selected by the 2nd FL to be the ML’s assistant because she’s average. The 2nd FL, having carried a torch for the ML since college in her unrequited love, does not want any pretty females near the ML. Through some forced meetings, coincidences, and tarot card readings, the audience is made to believe that two good-looking, successful, rich company co-owners are suddenly infatuated with the FL all within the first three episodes. This is just not enough time for me, as a viewer, to really believe in the genuine feelings of these three. If I have to nitpick about wardrobe, I am questioning why the styling department opts to send the FL into a professional office environment wearing sneakers, t-shirts (tying a neckerchief does not make printed t-shirts dressy or professiona), jeans, and rompers, especially when she’s the assistant to the CEO. First day, ok, I am fine with her clothes since she interviewed for a voice acting gig and not an office job, but after that and still in t-shirts and jeans? No way. The FL’s naïveté and gullibility just make me pull out my hair in frustration. I am surprised she’s grown to be at this age without the help of the ML. This may be a trope that allows the ML and FL to have some form of physical contact, but I guffawed at how easily they sprain an ankle with a simple fall (heck, I slipped on ice, landed on my butt, and still able to walk and attend class) or catch a cold/flu while standing in the rain for maybe five seconds. If you’re going to have a boring, predictable plot for a drama, at least make the main leads’ relationship believable, genuine, and maybe a dose of sizzling hot.

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A Sweet Love Story

This is one of those dramas where you just want to watch something short, sweet, and angst-free. The FL, since she grew up as a bandit and became the bandit leader after her father’s passing, is independent, willful, speaks her mind, and is more fists before words. The ML, on the other hand, is a pampered and highly educated second son of a wealthy general. He’s more reserved in words and actions. So, these two polar opposites are now in a contractual marriage. What I love about their relationship is that they actually talk to each other and any misunderstandings are resolved quickly. This is a marriage, although under the guise of a contract, that is one of love, trust, and respect. I see the ML and FL, husband and wife, as help mates, both bringing their own strengths to the marriage. It’s nice, too, that the actors have such good chemistry so the audience can see that on the screen. The secondary couple, the ML’s older brother and sister-in-law, is also a fun watch. Without the FL and her assertive ways, their marriage, I think, may continue to be quite frosty and full of misunderstandings. I like that in this household, there are no enemies, no fighting for power, and no saboteurs. As the older brother says when there’s an attempt to out the FL as a bandit, she can’t solve it on her own because they are a family. They band together to resolve the problem. Nothing is better than a family united! Can I also add that the sound effects are just hilarious, especially the cold wind effect whenever the older brother makes an exit.

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Good Concept, Poor Execution

I adore Crazy Little Thing Called Love (2010), so I was excited to see the main couple starring together again in this Netflix movie. But what a disappointment AI Love You turned out to be. The production and special effects level are pretty well done, but the poor writing, poor editing, poor directing, and in some cases poor acting doom this movie. The concept is intriguing since we are starting (or already have) to live and function with technology: we are constantly on our smart phones, our homes are integrated with smart technologies, we ask Alexa or Siri questions and for directions, etc. So, it’s not too far fetched that in the future our lives and that of AIs will be even more connected. The execution and writing of this movie, however, somehow turn a potentially great movie into a hot mess: cartoonish bad guys, lack of chemistry between any of the actors including the main couple, and that horrible abrupt and confusing ending. Of all the ridiculous scenes in this movie, the one that still has me shaking my head is the ML lifting his shirt in a full restaurant and showing off his nipple to the FL. Face palm. This scene deserves to be on the cutting floor during editing, and maybe about 90% others, too.

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The one-hour and 45 minutes went by quick when watching this movie. All the good parts are great: acting, story/plot, cinematography, OSTs. Even though at the beginning we see that his young nephew is embarrassed by having a jobless uncle, we also get to witness how much he is loved by his family. Although he still lives with his parents and does not have any job prospects, everyone in his family seems to love him and cares for him. In times of great peril, the ML, does not shy away from doing everything he can to save others, even if it means risking his own life. This is certainly the hero complex. I am glad the FL herself is strong, smart, and contributes to both of their survival. She is no damsel-in-distress. At the end of the movie, with his family saved and united, there’s hope that now the ML’s life can start: a budding romance with the FL, and maybe renewed hope for a brighter future.

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While Pong has a one-sided love for the pretty cheerleader, Ming, May, also, is experiencing the same for the ever handsome and popular school heartthrob Fame. Through their shared one-sided love and being outcasts in school, Pong and May becomes friends. They tried to help each other out with their love life. As Pong starts to like May, Fame also begins to take notice of May. Now, we have a full-on love square. What I love about this movie is that in 2 hours it was able to connect me, as a viewer, to each character, especially the two main leads. I love that interspersed throughout the movie are the cartoons/anime which only adds to the depth of the storytelling. The movie is funny, sweet, heartwarming, and playful. The happy ending is cherry on top.

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A few episodes into the drama and already I know that this drama is not for me. The weird Three Stooges type of background music, sound effects, and humor are not my cup of tea. The humor is going to be at the toilet level I am afraid: there’s already stereotypes of male gay characters, and the FL in her disguise, uses browning/blacking of her face and having short curly hair to appear unattractive. These horrible transphobia and overt racism are a big no for me. The truly sad part is that this came out in 2021. I am dropping this drama like a hot radioactive potato.

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My rating looks like it’s a stark contrast to most. For me, there are just too many wrongs in this drama; it would take too much time to write it all down. So, I will mention only the truly egregious ones. If we’re talking production quality, it’s pretty low, similar to your every day daytime soap opera. Probably 30 minutes of the hour and a half are taken up by commercials, so fairly annoying but thank goodness for the fast forward button. The music is also insanely loud and played inappropriately at times.

I dislike all the characters except for Pu, the FL’s childhood love. I hate the FL’s father the most. He embezzles company money to feed his gambling habit, and then proceeds to “sell” his daughter, whom he claims to love very much, so he can avoid jail. He keeps on sacrificing his daughter and family so that he can live and not be prosecuted. Worst father ever.

The FL is so weak. She takes filial duty to the extreme. I really don’t see how the three men are so attracted to her; she barely has any personality. She just goes along with whatever anyone says. When she’s being manhandled and molested by the ML and Ad, all she does is protest loudly and weakly pushes them away. Come on, a knee to the groin, an elbow to the face, a head butt, anything to get away from your molester. The near rape scenes are disgusting, unbearable to watch, and nothing romantic about them at all. I come to totally hate the ML when it’s implied that he had raped the FL (she flees the house, cries her eyes out, and seeks refuge with Pu). Well, the audience discovers later that the sex was all consensual; the FL is just too overwhelmed by the experience and feels guilty. So, she makes everyone believe that the ML is a rapist. WTH.

Don’t get me started on the ML. I would like to punch him in the face a few times. I am completely turned off by him when he first meets the FL. He supposedly at that time still in love with his wife, but he shamelessly flirts and makes physical contact with the FL. Then, within a week or so of his family kicking his deceitful wife out of the house, he begins to pursue the FL. It sure is nice to have your mother put the girl of your interest on a nice big silver platter for you. How many times can your crazy violent “ex” wife (I put “ex” in quote because he never divorced her for how many episodes and still have the FL as his live-in “wife”) just barged into your house? Considering how rich the ML’s family is, where is security? Just that one butler and a couple of maids? If they don’t have security, call the police. No, they just allow her to walk into their house any time.

The stars are for the actors because they really tried with this plot/script, and I know that they’re good actors from seeing their other works.

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Where do I even start with this drama? There are so many wrongs, but the heart stopping, cute moments help somewhat negate them. I read one reviewer that if this is to be remade into a Korean drama, then watch out, it could be deadly good. If some of the scenes could be cut, like the over dramatic stares into space, the long slow motion, the actors just sitting/standing/walking around doing nothing, then the drama could be cut from nearly two hours to just one. Some of the acting, it seems, requires a lot of shouting. I mean, I could see veins popping when it’s just supposed to be a two person conversation. The annoying music just overpowers the scenes and in many cases, not appropriate for the situation.

If Danny is meant to be a love rival to the ML, then the writers did a poor job. He seems bratty and I wonder at times if he is such a good friend to her. When she needs help or in trouble, he doesn’t want to help out; she literally has to beg him.

The ML’s acting seem very wooden; I know he’s supposed to be cold and unfeeling. I guess after a while, like all the girls going through the Stockholm Syndrome (falling in love with their captors), I too came to like his wooden acting and appearance. The FL is supposed to be a genius, but I think this drama did a poor job showcasing it. The traps she set seems too simple: the gun running scheme, the take down of Yon Wen. I wish there was more of a suspense or something to keep the audience enthralled and guessing.

The drama description and, I think, in some conversations between characters, mentioned that the ML is a Hong Kong mafia. But his HQ apparently is in Taipei. Most likely because filming in actual Hong Kong is expensive. So, why not just make him a Taiwanese mafia or better yet a Thai one since all of them are speaking Thai and not Mandarin except the occasional Ni Hao.

Lastly, her age. He begins to fall in love with her when she’s only 17. I don’t think his age was mentioned, but I am assuming he’s in his mid- to late 20s. God forbid if he’s supposed to be in his 30s. Sure, by the end of the drama she turned 18, but that’s still a teenager. It doesn’t quite turned me off from the drama, but there’s certainly an ick/no-no factor. So, I am glad that this drama has very little PDA, and kissing between the leads are on the forehead or cheeks. I survived watching this drama with the help of the fast forward button and the gooey feeling of the slow burn romance between the two main leads.

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